Astronomers have achieved a significant breakthrough with the detection of methane in the atmosphere of another celestial body. WISEA J181006.18−101000.5 , the nearest T dwarf to our planet, situated merely 29 light years distant. This thrilling discovery was detailed in a recent study. Published on March 28, 2025, in arXiv This outcome stems from observations conducted with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), which ranks among the globe's most advanced telescopes.
WISEA J181006.18−101000.5, also known as WISE1810, is a T-dwarf characterized by low metallic content and an effective temperature ranging from 800 to 1,300 Kelvin. Initially believed to belong to the L-type dwarfs, evidence of methane led to its classification as a T dwarf. This finding significantly enhances our comprehension of these fascinating objects situated between stars and planets in terms of both mass and heat.
Details of the Discovery
Using the Espectrografo Multiobjeto Infra-Rojo (EMIR) on the GTC, the research team led by Jerry Zhang of the University of La Laguna, Spain, made the clear detection of methane in the atmosphere of WISE1810. This finding contradicts earlier studies that suggested the object might belong to a different class, namely L-type dwarfs . The detection of methane—an essential molecule that characterizes T dwarfs—has now confirmed the object’s true nature.
WISE1810 , with a radius approximately 0.65 times that of Jupiter and a mass 17 times heavier than Jupiter is found among celestial bodies that are both cooler and dimmer compared to stars. The presence of methane detected here reinforces its categorization under the T-dwarf class since methane is a key feature distinguishing these types. Additionally, the research did not find traces of either carbon monoxide or potassium in its atmosphere, offering deeper understanding into its distinctive chemical makeup.
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